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Thursday, October 30, 2008

1) Hermitage (5-0, 6-2) at Deep Run (5-0, 8-0)----gonna be a big weekend in Twin Hickory. Saturday night, Governor Sarah Palin will hold a rally on this final weekend of campaigning, and there's this little football game going on the night before. As much as my son (a Hermitage junior) would want me to pick the Panthers, I just can't do it. For part of this season, it can be argued Deep Run, and not Varina, should have been ranked #1 in the Central Region. Two factors give Deep Run the edge for the moment.....

---Antone Exum: he almost guarantees a special teams touchdown in a game when he steps on the field. He's also led DR over Hanover on the road.---Home Field: there's nothing like being on the home field. Even better, it's great not to be in Chester Fritz Stadium, one of the more unique home football settings in the Central Region.

My gut says: Deep Run 27, Hermitage 20, with the winning TD in the final eight minutes.

2) Clover Hill (4-2, 6-2) at Cosby (4-2, 5-3)---Two factors come into play in this major Dominion District battle.....

---Home Field: Advantage, Cosby. That helps, plus they are looking for revenge after losing to CH last season. BUT......Cosby is coming to the end of a grueling schedule, having played the following four teams in the past five games (no disrespect to George Wythe.....)

Monacan, Manchester, Hanover, and L.C. Bird. They only defeated Monacan. So, they come into the game having lost three of four.......

Which brings us to:

---Last Friday night. While Cosby went toe to toe against Bird, Clover Hill had the night off. A rare bye week, especially this late. A time to rest some bumps and bruises. Will that help? Can't hurt. But it's up to them to have had TWO good weeks of practices to keep them in late season form.

My gut says: Cosby takes it, 28-21.

3) Hanover (2-2, 5-3) at Lee-Davis (2-2, 3-5): PH fans better (gulp!) root for Lee Davis on THEIR Senior Night, too! The Patriots are on the outside of the playoffs looking in and need help on top of having to beat Mills Godwin and Hermitage. Their best chances right now are Clover Hill knocking off Cosby and, yes, Lee-Davis finally coming through at home for a signature win.

The Confederates have shown propensity for intense and great play, they have fallen short in every game played against a tougher opponent. In my opinion, this is their last chance, as Atlee does not play on Lee-Davis' level. But for all that "moral victory" stuff, they could finish a seven-game home schedule (thanks to the Tomato Bowl moving to Mechanicsville for their 50th anniversary) with a record of:

2-5.

With wins over only Armstrong and Henrico. Losing to Hermitage, PH, Manchester, Highland Springs, and Hanover at home would negate the "moral victory" view, in my opinion.

But, with ALL that....Hanover simply has too much to lose and they know they have to win. Lee-Davis will not be their John Marshall.

Varina at HenricoHuguenot at Highland SpringsPetersburg at Colonial HeightsPrince George at Thomas DaleDinwiddie at HopewellMatoaca at MeadowbrookL.C. Bird at George Wythe, 4:45Clover Hill at CosbyJames River at MonacanMidlothian at ManchesterSpotsylvania at Caroline

Saturday:

St. Christopher's at Collegiate, 1:30 (tape delay after R-MC football on WHAN)Douglas Freeman at John Marshall, 2 (Colonial District Game)

OTHER GAMES: Armstrong at Varina Thomas Dale at Colonial Heights Petersburg at Dinwiddie Meadowbrook at Hopewell Matoaca at Prince George Monacan at L.C. Bird James River at Clover Hill Midlothian at Huguenot, 4:45 George Wythe at Manchester Fork Union at Collegiate, 3:30 Powhatan at Greensville New Kent at Southampton Goochland at Randolph-Henry

An article from the Richmond Times-Dispatch tells us Coach Ray Long's struggles to get his team focused for John Marshall, and how that's no longer a problem after their loss at home last Friday night.

Monday, October 13, 2008

As surprising as Patrick Henry's rout of Douglas Freeman was in week five, it does not come close in comparison to the events of week six in Ashland.

John Marshall came to town for a classic "Tweener" game on the schedule. You know, the game that comes nestled in-between two big games on the docket; the one that, on paper, you know you shouldn't have to worry too much about. After the Freeman win, you know talk around the Center of the Universe began shifting to the Deep Run showdown in week seven.

But first there was this little matter of playing John Marshall. As you've heard it all before-----this is why they play the game.

Fueled by a lights out performance by quarterback Arnold Harris, the Justices stunned Patrick Henry 27-21, and left the home bleachers in Ashland in a silence not experienced in nearly 20 years.

First the highlights, then my analysis.

John Marshall wastes no time, scoring on a 2nd and 19 pass to Maurice Johnson; a 15 yard out to the right where Johnson shuffled by his defender, shook off a second one, and barely beat a third into the end zone. The 65 yard pitch-n'-catch gave JM the six point lead just 1:39 into the game.

Response? How about Jamison Kenny received the kickoff at the 15, receiving the benefit of a classic line of blockers, and going right up the middle, then to the right side, practically untouched, for an 85 yard TD return, the first kickoff or punt return of the season for the Patriots. Hayden Dyer's point after gives PH the 7-6 lead.

Fans were still coming into the stadium and had missed 13 points. The rest of the first quarter was more settled, save a huge drive by JM that ended thanks to Clay Schools' interception at the PH 5 with 3:57 to go, denying the early go-ahead points for Marshall.

Harris threw for 105 yards and a touchdown on his first three completions in the first quarter, but later threw a second interception, and after one period it stood 7-6, PH. Harris proceeded to lead his offense back down the field in the second, getting into the end zone with an eight-yard strike to Randall Braxton with 7:43 left until halftime. JM went for two and, on a designed play, Harris went for Charles Shelton, who fully extended to bobble, then catch the ball before he smacked hard into the end zone turf on the left side. That athleticism earned JM the 14-7 lead.

PH promptly returned serve on the scoreboard, ending a TD drive on a 13 yard pass from Brandon Cash to Adrian Cavanaugh. Then, Harris throws a third interception, this time to Raquis Morris, playing a "center field" position around the PH 40, with 2:08 to go before half, but the Patriots couldn't take advantage, and we arrived at the half at 14-14.

John Marshall had outgained Patrick Henry in the first half 215-58, yet thanks to one sustained drive and the Kenny kickoff return, the score was even. If PH could come back settled, could it take control?

Bad news came to the faithful even before PH received the opening kickoff when Jamison Kenny came back out sans shoulder pads. An injury had ended his evening early. But undaunted, PH chewed up nearly five minutes of clock and scored on a two yard run by Cash, and the Patriots had seemingly taken some control at 21-14.

We noted on the halftime show on the radio that the best defense for Patrick Henry in the second half would be to keep JM quarterback Arnold Harris off the field. This would prove to be oh so true.

JM's first possession after halftime ended in disaster, fumbling the ball away at the line of scrimmage. But, in a sign that it was not to be their night, PH committed an uncharacteristic turnover when Cash's pitch back to Brandon Wong, now in the backfield replacing the injured Kenny, went five yards behind Wong, setting off a monster scramble for the ball. The more players involved, the further the ball got knocked down the JM side of the field until, finally, the Justices recovered at the PH 24.

Marshall promptly seizes on the gift, with Harris throwing towards an intended receiver from 25 yards out. Adrian Cavanaugh tipped the ball, only for the ball to come down where Quante Cooley of Marshall was, as well as his defender. The bigger, stronger Cooley ripped the ball away and gingerly entered the end zone for the tying score. Destiny seemed to reside on the visitors' side of the field. The extra point was good, tying the game at 21.

JM could have taken the lead on their next drive, but a touchdown pass to Cooley was called back due to penalty, and the 21-21 tie would remain on the scoreboard well into the 4th quarter.

Finally, the Justices would grab the lead for good with 6:11 to go, completing another impressive drive with an eight-yard TD run by Frank Bullock around right end. The PAT was no good, so PH could win the game with a touchdown and extra point. But in the last 6:11, the Pats couldn't find the end zone, their last drive beginning at their own 1 with a minute to go and no timeouts, thanks to a tremendous punt and special teams play by the Justices.

PH's final prayer was grounded when Brandon Cash was tackled around the 30 yard line, and the celebration began in Northside Richmond. For the first time since 1992, the Justices had come to Ashland and won.

This one left the players stunned, bitterly disappointed, and the fans in quiet disbelief. It also threw open the Division Five playoff floodgates.

In the end, Arnold Harris was 14 of 21 for 260 yards, with three TDs and three INTs. Quante Cooley caught five passes for 87 yards and the tying TD in the 3rd quarter.

Brandon Cash was 9 for 17 for 99 yards, one TD and one pick. He only gained 38 yards on the ground, as John Marshall's defense held PH to only 249 yards.

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So were the Patriots caught looking ahead? Probably, to a point. But the biggest reason for this loss was that, simply, it was John Marshall's night. Their passing game could not be stopped when it needed to be, the third TD pass was tipped, yet caught anyway, and they caught a break not having to face Jamison Kenny in the second half.

Now the question is how the Patriots will respond when they have to go to Twin Hickory Friday night and battle the undefeated Deep Run Wildcats. We won't have to wait long to find out.

Tuesday, October 07, 2008

Douglas Freeman came into their home game against Patrick Henry undefeated, yes, in part due to the benefit of receiving a win when Highland Springs had to forfeit their victory over the Rebels. Nonetheless, they were playing very well, their senior leadership were ready to take the next step, and they knew they had defeated Patrick Henry two of the last three times the Patriots traveled to Three Chopt Road.

The Patriots showed heart and discipline in their Tomato Bowl win, much less discipline but more offensive power in their win over Tucker. What Patriot attributes would show up?

The answers were simple. Execution, finishing the job, taking advantage of the circumstance in front of you, and killer instinct.

The result? A 40-6 Patrick Henry thrashing of Douglas Freeman.

The first 16 minutes decided the game; the final 32 minutes were mandatory to call it a complete game.

Patrick Henry takes the opening kickoff (by Freeman's choice), and scores 1:17 into the game via a six-yard run by new backfield weapon Jamison Kenny. Kenny and Adrian Cavanaugh lined up in the two-back set just behind Brandon Cash in the shotgun, and this offensive variation caught the Rebels by surprise. Cash's 54 yard run during this drive led the way.

Douglas Freeman proceeded to drive down the field in response, all the way to the PH 28. The drive stalled, with Vincent Derricott intercepting a fourth down pass at the four yard line.

The Patriots proceeded to move the ball 96 yards, wrapping up the first quarter with an 11 yard TD pass from Cash to Cavanaugh. The Rebels, once again, retook the ball and marched down the field, only this time they could not get past the Patriot 29.

PH took back the ball and the first of two killer plays took place. Cash threw the shovel pass, successful for a 40 yard gain by Adrian Cavanaugh in the Tomato Bowl, this time to Jamison Kenny, who proceeded to power down the right sideline 71 yards for a Patriot touchdown. 9:21 to go in the 2nd quarter, it's now 21-0, Patriots.

Not to be counted out, Eric Addison returns the ensuing kickoff to near midfield and the Rebels quickly make it to the Patriot 20. Here is where killer play two took place. We saw Monty Smalley in motion to the left, and upon the snap, quarterback Sam Jacobson immediately threw towards Smalley, set up for the flanker screen, when out of nowhere, Will Woodworth raced in front of Smalley, bobbled, then caught the pass, and was gone.

Untouched--79 yards. It's 27-0. Still there was 8:23 left before halftime. The air was suddenly sucked out of William Long Stadium. The game was over, based on what could be seen in the reactions and body language of the Freeman players and fans.

But afterwards, it was a matter of what the final score would be and how the Patriots would continue to tune up their offense, and how the Rebels would respond from the shock.

Brandon Wong returned his second interception for a touchdown in the 3rd quarter, and Adrian Cavanaugh ran for a TD a few minutes later. Freeman did get on the board near the end of the quarter on a 14 yard pass from Carter Slough to Monty Smalley.

And, in a microcosm of the night for Freeman, the extra point hit the upright, and bounced sadly into the end zone.

Patrick Henry hits the halfway mark at 4-1 and with a renewed sense of optimism and of their potential.

NOTES:

--Freeman threw the pigskin 35 times Friday night, with each quarterback throwing two interceptions. Carter Slough led the meager Rebel running game with 41 yards on 12 carries. Monty Smalley still grabbed seven passes for 83 yards and a touchdown.

--Kire Worley played the fourth quarter for Patrick Henry at quarterback, his second straight game where he saw action. He did not attempt a pass but did rush three times for 28 yards. Brandon Cash broke the 100 yard barrier both in passing (133) and on the ground (117). D'vante Derricott missed his second game due to injury.

--Also, credit the defensive line of Patrick Henry for continual pressure on the Freeman quarterback tandem throughout the game!

NEXT UP: The Patriots are home Friday night to face the 1-4 John Marshall Justices, who are 0-2 in the District, but still have several players back from last season's 6-4 squad. Bring your radio to the game; but if you can't make it, join us at 7:05pm for all the action, exclusively on WHAN (1430)!

Saturday, October 04, 2008

Tonight was Patrick Henry's true coming out party. With both Cosby and Petersburg losing, as well as Freeman, Division 5 and the Colonial District have now been served notice that this Patriots team may have finally found the stride.

The outlook for the second half of the season for PH is dramatically different after this performance. Complete game summary to be posted Saturday afternoon.